Renesas Electronics has launched the RX74M and RX74N — flagship 32-bit microcontrollers built on a 22 nm process and featuring embedded MRAM. Operating at up to 600 MHz, they deliver more than twice the performance of the previous RX72M/RX72N generation (240 MHz) and are designed for high-performance industrial and factory automation systems.
Renesas RX74M and RX74N 32-bit MCUs with MRAM
Key Characteristics
- Core: RXv3e at up to 600 MHz
- Process technology: 22 nm (first RX family on this node)
- Memory:
- 1 MB embedded MRAM
- 256 KB zero-wait-state tightly coupled memory (TCM)
- 1.5 MB SRAM
- Performance: more than 2× that of RX72M/RX72N
- MRAM advantage: write without prior erase → faster code/data updates and reduced system downtime
- RX74M networking (single-chip):
- EtherCAT slave controller
- TSN-capable Gigabit Ethernet switch
- CAN FD
- Support for EtherCAT, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP
- EtherNet/IP Device-Level Ring (DLR) redundancy
- Security:
- ProtectZone technology (secure / non-secure region separation)
- Renesas Secure IP (RSIP) with enhanced public-key cryptography
- Authenticated encryption and additional hash algorithms
- Support for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) implementations
- Designed to address Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) requirements
The combination of high clock speed, zero-wait TCM and MRAM enables consistent real-time performance even under frequent interrupts and branching, while the integrated industrial networking and hardware security features simplify IIoT connectivity and firmware protection.
Target Applications
- RX74M: AC drives, industrial robots, PLCs, factory automation
- RX74N: smart meters, power conditioners, HVAC systems
Source: Electronics For You